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Answer any two of the following… (English 2026 2/3/1 Q9)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 2/3/1 · 6 marks · Short answer

CBSE Class 10 English 2026: question 9

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 2/3/1, section C, question 9, for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q9 · 6 marks · Short answerA Triumph of Surgery

Answer any two of the following three questions in 40–50 words each: (2×3=6)

  1. (i)

    Considering the emotional attachment of Mrs. Pumphrey with Tricki, state the impact of the word 'convalescing' on her. (A Triumph of Surgery)

    3 marks
  2. (ii)

    Ausable displayed a remarkable presence of mind combined with a good sense of humour to handle Max. Justify. (The Midnight Visitor)

    3 marks
  3. (iii)

    What makes Bholi believe that the place where she was taken was better than her home? (Bholi)

    3 marks

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 2/3/1.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

Recall what exactly the character does in the lesson.

Hint 2

Give two points and keep to 40–50 words.

Hint 3

Use the word from the question in your answer.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. (i) 'Convalescing' means gradual recovery after illness. Hearing it, Mrs Pumphrey sent fresh eggs, two dozen at a time, to build Tricki's strength. She also sent bottles of wine to enrich his blood and brandy for his constitution, so she overfed and pampered him.

    3 marks

  2. (ii) Ausable stayed calm and showed no fear, sitting on the chair. Quick-witted, he made up a story, mentioned a balcony that did not exist, and made Max believe the knock was the police. This shows presence of mind and humour.

    3 marks

  3. (iii) Bholi received a clean dress and was bathed. Oil was rubbed into her dry, matted hair. She was cared for and groomed, which had never happened at home where she was neglected, so she felt the school was better.

    3 marks

Answer: Model answers for (i)–(iii); any two are to be attempted.

Where the marks are

  • Two valid points (2 marks) for each attempted part
  • Expression (1 mark) for each part
  • Any two parts attempted (2×3=6 marks)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from A Triumph of Surgery, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2026 board paper, set 2/3/1: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.